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Simply Crete Holidays
Quality Villas, Apartments, Traditional Cottages and Hotels in Crete
Erghina Traditional Village Cottage , Gavalohori, Chania
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    Erghina Cottage is a perfect example of traditional architecture of the houses of the area of Apokoronas (the so-called "kamarospito" i.e. house with arches).
    One can still see elements dating back to the 16th century (the carved stone doorway inside the house). Two old stone arches span the length of the sitting
    and dining rooms showing visible signs of centuries of use. The cottage has been awarded a prize by the Ministry of Culture for its restoration.

    A few metres from the village square, the entrance leads into an enclosed courtyard, typical of the area, paved with flagstones and shaded by a plane tree. In
    the corners old earthenware pots (pithoi), once destined to store wine and oil, are now being used as decorative artifacts .The kitchen, once the stable of the
    house, is fully equipped with a stove, small oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, coffee maker, toaster and all the necessary kitchenware and cutlery.

    The kitchen leads to the dining-room and from there, through the 16th century carved stone doorway, into the sitting room with its fire-place, two sofa-beds
    (sleeping galleries above either side of the arch accessed by wooden stairs) and a couch/bed. There is also a bathroom en suite with bath and washing
    machine. The sitting room is equipped with T.V., a telephone and a portable radio/cassette/CD player. The dining room has a wooden staircase leading to the
    Master bedroom (the "ondas") with a double bed and ceiling fan overhead. There is also a WC/shower en suite.   
    From the bedroom there is direct access to a terrace overlooking the courtyard, also shaded by the plane tree and also to a large terrace with views to the
    village and the White Mountains and a shady pergola.

    This cottage can accommodate up to 4 persons, making it a perfect choice for couples or families alike.
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Original content © simply Crete Holidays ltd 2012
                                                                    The Village of Gavalohori

Gavalohori is a traditional village awarded protected status. It nestles in a valley amongst hills covered with cypress,
carob, and olive trees in the Apokoronas region about 25kms south east of Hania.
Its history, and its name, go back to the 11 th -12 th centuries (1080 to 1181 A.D.), when the Byzantine general Philippos
Gavalas was ordered by the Emperor of Byzantium to settle there.
The evidence of its history is still visible in its many old houses, some of which have being lovingly and tastefully restored
by their owners.
Gavalohori is now a magnet for Greek and foreign visitors, interested in a really relaxing vacation away from the noise of
overcrowded resorts, in an environment of natural beauty and close to the everyday life of a village.

In the Folk Museum of the village, a perfect example of the local traditional architecture, many traditional household
artifacts, silk, pottery, guns, coins, hand carved items from old churches, icons and numerous other objects are displayed
together with the renowned special lace (kopaneli), a rare lace similar to that which can be found in the city of Bruges in
Belgium and in Venice.
The Venetian wells with their stone vault like covers which once supplied the village with water, now only supply the
sheep and goats of the few remaining shepherds of the area.

Tavernas, coffee shops, a bakery, and mini-market are there to serve the visitors. About 3 kms from Gavalohori is the
small village of Almyrida with its clear blue waters, and sandy beach
                                                 Prices 2012

                    April / May/ Oct                       June - September

                          £ 699.00                                 £ 845.00

          
                                  * sleeps up to 4 persons
                          * prices for cottage per 7 night stay